Ian Darke leads the ESPN panel in predicting the 2018 World Cup winner with names of Germany, Brazil, France and England among the list.

ESPN FC's Craig Burley does not feel Russia will emerge from Group A that also contains Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Uruguay.

The 2018 World Cup is just over a month away, and all 32 teams are preparing in earnest for their shot at the trophy in Russia. ESPN FC is previewing every team ahead of the opening game on June 14. Find all 32 teams here.

The ESPN FC crew preview Saudi's Arabia chances of advancing out of their group for the second time in their World Cup history.

Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi has named a 28-man squad for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Italy, Peru and Germany.

The Green Falcons, who open the tournament against hosts Russia in Group A on June 14, returned to Riyadh on Thursday after a three-week Spanish training camp that featured wins over Algeria and Greece.

There were few surprises in Pizzi's selection, which includes three players -- Fahad Al-Muwallad, Salem Al Dawsari and Yahya Al-Shehri loaned to La Liga clubs in January.

Al Ittihad emerged victorious over Al Faisaly in the Saudi Kings Cup final on Saturday evening -- a game that also happened to feature one of the strangest advertising stunts ever witnessed at a football match.

Indeed, fans were left scratching their heads as a miniature jumbo jet plane (carrying a full flight crew) was rigged up to follow the movement of the ball as it moved around the pitch.

Saudi football is simply the most surprising scene you'll see around. For the first time in Asia: an Airplane will follow the ball during the King's Cup final. WTF?! 😂🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/yksCHk29V8